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Financial Considerations when Refinancing and Consolidating Home Loans and Credit Card Debt

There are some things you should consider before making a decision about refinancing your house. Interest rates may be on the rise so now may be a good time to think about your financial situation and plan a course of action.  If interest rates do go up, they will likely go up on credit cards as well.

Since the new bankruptcy laws have taken effect, it is harder to avoid defaulting on unsecured debt like credit card loans.  It becomes more appealing for some to place the credit card debt into a refinanced home loan package.

In 1981 the Prime Interest Rate was over 18%.  Right now the prime interest rate is a little less than 8%, but that is almost double what it was in 2004.  Interest rates go up and down.  If you have an adjustable rate home loan and interest rates go up you could be paying more each month. Credit card rate are always well above the Prime interest rate.  Financial Considerations when Refinancing and Consolidating Home Loans and Credit Card Debt

Google Does not Turn Over Data But Yahoo Microsoft and AOL Did - to the Justice Department

The U.S. Justice Departments filed papers with the U.S. District Court in San Jose stating that Google had refused to comply with a subpoena issued last year for one million random Web addresses.  The information was to include addresses from Google’s database as well as records of all searches entered on Google during any one-week period. 

Privacy rights groups have complained about the governments attempt to have Google turn over such a broad range of materials.  Some fear it could set a dangerous precedent. 

Other search engines have already complied with the Justice Department, including Yahoo, America Online (AOL) and Microsoft.  The Attorney General Alberto Gonzales says the subpoena does not violate privacy rights.  Google Does not Turn Over Data But Yahoo Microsoft and AOL Did - to the Justice Department

3 Essential Boundaries for Mom Entrepreneurs and Their Husbands

In the beginning, I thought it was going to be a breeze when my husband, Terry, joined me working full-time in my business.  If anyone could do it, we could!  We already had a healthy relationship built on trust and respect.  We communicated well.  We both strongly believed in what we were doing.  We understood the need to help each other with the children, keeping the house, and with the business.  We planned to allow for fluctuations in income to keep stresses over money to a minimum.  Yet I still wasn’t prepared.

For anyone considering working with your spouse, here are 3 Essential Boundaries for Entrepreneurial Couples to help to ease your transition:  3 Essential Boundaries for Mom Entrepreneurs and Their Husbands

The Top 10 Reasons to Become a Medical Transcriptionist

You've seen the commercials: medical transcriptionists are in high demand.  Should you consider this field?  Below are the top ten best reasons to become a medical transcriptionist.  If these characteristics are something you're looking for in a job, then medical transcription may be for you.  To get started, try “Working at Home the American Way in Medical Transcription” by Debra Jan Hebert, an experienced medical transcriptionist.

10.     Quick entry

Many lucrative professions require extensive training and advanced degrees.  Other jobs in the medical field can take eight or more years of grueling, expensive schooling to begin. The Top 10 Reasons to Become a Medical Transcriptionist

What to Consider when Refinancing a Home - Fixed Home Loans via Brokers

There are many things to consider when refinancing your home.  One of the important considerations is who or what company to use when refinancing.  Also speak to your financial consultant before making any decisions.  The refinancing option may not be worth it.

There is a cost associated with refinancing a home.  There are various parties that may take a fee, including a loan broker.  Loan / mortgage brokers can be helpful in shopping for a loan.  You only need to supply your information once and they do the rest.  You save yourself the loss in credit-score by having multiple inquiries on your credit.

Some mortgages have a prepayment penalty.  If your current loan has one of these clauses it will add to the cost of refinancing.  These prepayment penalty clauses should be avoided in your new loan as well. What to Consider when Refinancing a Home - Fixed Home Loans via Brokers

Microsoft's adCenter Contextual Search Advertising Program to Compete with Google Adsense - Adwords

Microsoft has been working for over a year on an advertising program to compete with Google and Yahoo.  On Friday, Microsoft demonstrated 15 of 40 prototypes during its adCenter Demo Fest at their headquarters in Redmond Washington. 

The company announced that they are opening a laboratory in Beijing to develop new technologies. About 22 researchers in Beijing will work with at least 20 in Redmond in what they call the adCenter Incubation Lab (adLab).  Eventually there could be as many as 50 scientists assigned to the project in Beijing.  Microsoft's adCenter Contextual Search Advertising Program to Compete with Google Adsense - Adwords

BlackBerry to Add Google Talk  - Local and Apple Mac Synchronization

The BlackBerry has become very popular recently, and the maker of the device now plans to add new features by partnering with Google and an Apple accessory maker.  Research In Motion (RIM), the maker of Blackberry, plans on offering Google Talk instant messaging, Google Local and the ability to link its device to Apple computers for free.

Blackberry owners will be able to add a new version of the Google Talk instant messaging program, and also download a free program to synchronize their device with their Apple computers.  The Google Talk will be released in spring.

Users will probably love the new Google Local feature that can be downloaded right now.  This offers users the ability to search for local businesses.  It will also give them access to maps and satellite images.  BlackBerry to Add Google Talk  - Local and Apple Mac Synchronization

Conflict Resolution: 5 Ways to Resolve Conflict Quickly

Experiencing conflict at work or home? Don’t worry, you are not alone.  Most people experience conflict on a daily basis.  People who experience conflict are either 1) discouraged by conflict or 2) strengthened through conflict.  Regardless, of whether or not you have been discouraged by conflict you can learn to let conflict make you stronger by following the five followings steps to conflict resolution:

1)   Don’t Open Your Mouth---Yet!

The first step to conflict resolution is to never ‘fly off the handle,’ overreact, yell, etc.  These obnoxious and threatening gestures will take you and your ‘opponent’ further and further away from the interest of the conflict, so remain calm and remember that conflict can be a good thing.  Also, you’ve heard it a thousand times, but learn to stop and think before you speak. Conflict Resolution: 5 Ways to Resolve Conflict Quickly

Drinking Alcohol while on the Job – Survey Results

A report by the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions (RIA) was published in the current issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol say that 15 percent of the US employees have been either intoxicated with alcohol or affected by alcohol while on the job.  That is roughly 19.2 million workers.

The study was funded by National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.  The researchers conducted telephone surveys of 2,805 employed adults in the 48 contiguous states including Washington D.C.  The demographics were adjusted to survey a wide selection of professions of adults ranging in age from 18 years old all the way up to 65 years old.  Drinking Alcohol while on the Job – Survey Results

Home Loan Options and Considerations as Interest Rates Rise

There are many options for financing a home.  Many homeowners that originally financed their home are wondering if they should refinance their home before rates go up.  Since their rates are tied to a fluctuated interest rate, it may be a good option.  You may want to talk to a financial advisor before doing so.

According to the forcasts.org website, the prime interest rate is expected to go up this year.  In 2004 the prime interest rate has made a steady climb from a little over 4% to over 7% today.  They expect the rate to climb to 7.49% by June. 

One thing you need to check before you decide to refinance is your current contract.  Is there a pre-payment penalty if you decide to pay off the loan early in order to take out a new fixed rate mortgage?  Home Loan Options and Considerations as Interest Rates Rise 

Real Estate Classes first before you Start Investing with No Money Down

Stock investments for 2005 were less than eventful overall.  The Dow stock index was down .61 percent and the S&P did not do much better.  The S&P 500 was up just 3%.  Not all investments showed such meager returns.  Morningstar found that Real Estate funds were up over 11%.

But how does a person get into the real estate business?  There are some methods of buying real estate with little or no money down. You will need to be serious and maybe even get your hands dirty though. 

The first thing you need to do is start investigating two avenues in this business.  You will need to look for both investors and sellers.  A great way to get to know investors is to get involved in the industry.  Take some classes and become either a licensed real estate agent or an appraiser.  Real Estate Classes first before you Start Investing with No Money Down

Credit Card Minimum Monthly Payments Double Due to New Rules

This may not be the best time to require credit card companies to double their minimum payments.  There are numerous stories of cash strapped families now hamstrung with debt barely able to make their minimum payments.  Starting this month the minimum payments required by credit card companies will double.

Most credit card companies would require minimum payments of just 2% of the principle.  Now over their own objections, they are required to raise that minimum payment to 4%. 

That is right; the credit card companies did not want this new regulation.  They would make more money if the minimums were set at 2%, not 4%. Some credit card companies have already raised their minimums but this month the rest will be required to follow suit.  Credit Card Minimum Monthly Payments Double Due to New Rules

How to Buy Online with Credit Cards or Paypal on Ebay or other Online Sellers

Ebay is a great resource for buying tools, toys, kitchenware and very hard to find items.  On a recent cooking talk show a caller asked the host where she could buy a hard to find appliance.  The host said eBay of course.  She told the caller that the regular brick and mortar stores did not stock it, but eBay would have a dozen of them for sale.

Many people have concerns about buying on eBay.  Some purchasers are afraid of buying anything online.  For the most part the fears are not warranted.  There are some things you need to be watchful of before you agree to buy an item.

You will need to sign up with eBay before you can actually buy anything.  It is free to sign up.  Just go to eBay.com and pick a user name and password.  You can use eBay’s search function without signing up.  It operates just like a regular search-engine search, except it searches eBay for the products.  How to Buy Online with Credit Cards or Paypal on Ebay or other Online Sellers

Texas suing Sony BMG for releasing music CD’s with Spyware

Sony BMG has admitted to releasing a potential dangerous anti-piracy software inside people’s computer through music CD’s.  The state of Texas has a new anti-spyware law and is suing Sony BMG for violation.

The music CD’s have a program call XCP standing for extended copy protection.  During this installation the not so nice spyware called rootkit, which is installed into the core operating system.  Another problem program is MediaMax which allows Sony to track the listening habits even if the SunnComm’s liscensing agreement is rejected.  Texas suing Sony BMG for releasing music CD’s with Spyware

IBM to Acquire Micromuse for $865 million

IBM stated on this Wednesday that they would buy software company Micromuse Inc. for $865 million.  This purchase will help fill the needs of the Tivoli software for large computer networks.

Micromuse develops software for managing complex communications based networks including telephone calls, internet traffic, and video.  Tivoli is a competitor Computer Associates International Inc., Hewlett-Packard Co, and BMC software Inc.  IBM to Acquire Micromuse for $865 million

Powerful Internet Tool Wiki - What SEOs can learn from it

I’ve been actively researching ways to quickly and effectively build content to websites.  And while blogs tend to be near the top of the list, there are other opportunities out there.

One such opportunity is a Wiki.  And while a Wiki won’t suit all sites, there are those that can use a Wiki effectively.  If you think you are one of those sites, take a look at this article.

What is a Wiki? Wiki is a piece of server software that allows users to freely create and edit web page content using any Web browser. Wiki supports hyperlinks and has a simple text syntax for creating new pages and links between internal pages on the fly.  Powerful Internet Tool Wiki - What SEOs can learn from it

Google Beats Out Microsoft for Lucrative AOL Business

AOL will stick with the worlds most popular search engine.  MSN had hoped to beat Google to the punch for the lucrative 20 million AOL users.  In the end Google will pay $1 billion for a 5% stake in AOL and AOL will continue to use Google’s search.

This is important for Google because they are able to keep the AOL audience and the revenue associated with their search advertising.  According to the Times Online, AOL is their biggest single source of advertising revenue.  In fact, AOL provided 10% of Google’s ad revenue for the first nine months of this year.  This equaled about $420 million. 

Microsoft was hoping to grab the AOL prize, now that it has launched a competing search engine.  According to those familiar with the Time Warner Company, the deal with Google was a safer option as compared to dealing with the relatively untested MSN technology.  Google Beats Out Microsoft for Lucrative AOL Business

Weyerhaeuser Co. announce Closure and Sales of Plants in US and Canada

One of the world’s largest integrated companies of forest products, Weyerhaeuser Co. (WY.N) announced on Friday that it will be closing or selling some of its plants and to expect more changes in the future.

The factories that are going to be closed are manufacturing containerboard, packaging and paper bags.  This just one of the latest in a sequence of realignments that Weyerhaeuser Co. has planned.

The Federal Way headquartered in Washington will close their Plymouth, North Carolina plant permanently and 200 employees will be affected.  The factory manufactures 350,000-ton-per-year of containerboard.  Weyerhaeuser Co. announce Closure and Sales of Plants in US and Canada

The Benefits of Buying a HUD Foreclosure or Repo

For as long as I can remember I have heard of people buying HUD homes and fixing them up and selling them for a profit.  We did just that a few years ago and doubled our money in two years.  There are risks though.

A division of HUD (Housing and Urban Development) oversees the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) that insures loans for banks.  Sure you have heard about FHA loans before, but FHA does not actually loan the money they only guarantee the loan.  This makes it easier for banks to loan to people that would normally not qualify for a loan.

HUD is great because the loans are given to risky people.  This means they are more likely to default on the loans.  This is good for investors because the government is not so hot at getting top dollar for their foreclosures.  They hardly ever do anything to the property to make it more appealing.  This is a great opportunity if you are looking for a fixer-upper. The Benefits of Buying a HUD Foreclosure or Repo

New retirement savings plan - Roth 401(k) coming into effect

The Retirement savings plan, Roth 401(k) introduced by the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act, 2001 will come into force from January 2006. Unlike a traditional 401(k) Retirement Plan, a Roth 401k plan applies to all employees but the latter requires the contributions to the plan account with after-tax dollars while a 401k plan allows for contributions with pre-tax dollars.

You may not be allowed to contribute to a Roth IRA if your income level is higher but you can certainly qualify for a Roth 401(k) plan, as there are no income specifications here. In addition, you can contribute up to $15,000 for 2006, as in a 401(k) plan and the limit reaches $20,000 for individuals turning 50 years of age or older by the end of the year. New retirement savings plan - Roth 401(k) coming into effect

Google Page Rank and SEO - Try ‘Linking’ With Reality

I have been using the services of a wonderful facility, which has taken almost all of the work out of my ‘Linking Program’ (if you have a website that relies on Search Engine traffic, I really do hope you have one!). The facility is named linkmarket.net. Don’t worry, I am not affiliated in any way and I don’t get any type of reward for referrals, but I do refer people because it is really such a wonderful facility and it’s free, unless you choose to ‘upgrade’ to paid membership, which I am seriously considering doing, in light of the behavior I have observed recently.

I know there have been a fair number of articles on the Internet and on this particular website regarding ‘linking’, it’s importance, how to do it and what not to do. This article is kind of a plea. I’m pleading with people who don’t realize that linking to every single website that’s willing to link back, can be a DISADVANTAGE rather than do them any good at all.

Firstly, the way linkmarket.net works is simple but, as I said, wonderful. You join (free at first, with some minor limitations). You supply your website details, including your category, site name and description and you are listed in their directory. Google Page Rank and SEO - Try ‘Linking’ With Reality

Quiznos up for Sale

The fastest-growing sandwich chain, Quiznos, is going to be sold on the auction block, according to The New York Times and Wall Street Journal.

The reports had unnamed sources, but said that Quiznos had hired Wall Street investment bank, Goldman Sach Group Inc. to find buyers for the chain.  Goldman Sach Group Inc. was said to have already sent out the material to potential buyers. 

Quiznos could sell for $2 billion and is a family-controlled company and has around 3,600 locations in the United States with 400 more locations internationally.  Last year alone the chain opened 800 restaurants.  They have agreements for 1,700 more franchisees that have signed agreements.  Subway in comparison has 21,000 restaurants.  Quiznos up for Sale

Are you offering your customers TOO MANY choices?

Are you offering too many choices to your subscribers? How reducing customer choices sells more.  It has been taken for granted that more choice is good for customers. But is this true?

New research says it's *not* true that more choice equates with more sales. The new research suggests that you are much better off as a marketer if you can identify a customer's needs and circumstances, and then present that customer with a *small number of choices* based upon what you have found out.

One reason why a good salesperson can increase sales is that a well-trained and experienced salesperson functions as a very selective filter. Rather than presenting lots of choices to the customer, the good salesperson *focuses in* on that special one or two choices most likely to excite the customer and get him or her to buy.  Are you offering your customers TOO MANY choices?

How to file a Small Claims Court Case

Have you ever had a minor dispute where you feel you need to be compensated?  You might consider small claims court.  Disputes are handled quickly and inexpensively.  You may not need to hire an attorney either.  In fact according to the state of California “a lawyer can't represent you in court.”

The courts are all over the country.  They handle small dollar amount claims.  In California that amount is $5,000 or less.  According to the State Website “You can file as many claims as you want for up to $2,500 each. But you can only file 2 claims a year that ask for more than $2,500.”

You can only sue a guarantor for up to $4,000 ($2,500 if they don't charge for the guarantee). A "guarantor" is a person who promises to be responsible for what another person owes. How to file a Small Claims Court Case

Professionals: how to get more quality clients through the Internet

Special Loan Programs and Financing Help for Real Estate Purchases

There are many ways to get help buying a home.  There are outright grants and there are loan guarantees. We have sold a condo where the buyer got an outright gift from the city for a down payment. 

Whether you are buying or selling your home you should be aware of these programs and so should your Real Estate agent.  The agent should know what is necessary for writing an FHA backed loan.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides lenders with loan guarantees through FHA.  If the buyer defaults the government will step in and pay the lender off.  At that time HUD takes back the property for resale.  This guarantee makes lenders more likely to loan to home purchasers that they would not normally loan to.  Special Loan Programs and Financing Help for Real

The Wall Street Journal Interviews Web SuccessTEAM

Online Websites help Home Buyers find a Home

The realtor is a very important part and is a necessary part of the home buying process; however the internet offers listing online to help you find the house that is right for you.

We found that in our search for finding a home it was very helpful to search online because the real estate agent does not let you look at all the homes that are in the MLS.  It will give you an idea what the market is like and if you are getting a good buy for your money.  Online Websites help Home Buyers find a Home

No Money Down Lease Option For Buying Real Estate

Qualifying for a loan can be difficult for many people.  Some buyers do not make enough money and others may not have the credit rating or may have just gotten a new job.  A lease option may be a qualifying alternative and these deals are out there.

The lease option involves creating a sales agreement where the buyer gains control of the property but not the ownership.  The contract spells out a future date where the property transfers ownership.

Not all properties are up to code and able to qualify for a loan without major improvements.  The seller may own the home outright without encumbrances but realizes that the property needs an investment of both time and energy before a bank will offer a purchaser a loan.  No Money Down Lease Option For Buying Real Estate

Timing is Important when Buying and Selling Homes

One of the most stressful times in a person’s life is when he or she buys a home.  The decision process is usually long and there is usually second guessing involved after the deal is done.

The seller will wonder if he could have gotten more money for his property. They buyer wonders if he could have gotten it for a lower price or maybe should have waited.  Both may wonder if they did the deal at the most opportune time. 

Housing prices tend to rise before and during the summer when most people have more time to move.  They may take a dip after the summer when the kids get settled in school and there are fewer buyers in the market.  Timing is Important when Buying and Selling Homes

Marketing Offline Can Substantially Increase Your Online Business

How to Buy a Home Real Estate or Property from HUD

Like anyone stuck with foreclosed property the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is looking to sell their assets.  HUD takes properties back when homebuyers fail to make payments on FHA loans.  It is in HUD’s best interest to not lose money on these deals.

In an effort to curb losses HUD has assigned various professional brokerage firms around the country to handle their asset sales.  For instance in Southern California HUD has assigned Pemco to handle all HUD foreclosure sales.  In New York HUD assigned National Home Management Solutions to provide the brokerage services.  HUD has a link to the various assigned brokerage firms throughout the country.  How to Buy a Home Real Estate or Property from HUD

How to Buy Real Estate with No Money Down

Late night TV is full of seminars touting no-money real estate buying systems.  Real estate has been booming the past few years and many people have made many millions of dollars investing.  So what methods can a person employ to buy property with no money down?

A popular method is to “bird-dog” property.  Investors are always looking for deals but don’t have the time to search out every opportunity.  Some investors are open to deals found by bird dogging.  They may pay you a finder’s fee or cut you in on some of the action. How to Buy Real Estate with No Money Down

Selling on Ebay: Order Processing and Accounting with Marketworks

Marketworks is an online software solution for the online retailer.  The software solutions allows more efficient methods for marketing your products through ebay, yahoo stores and auctions, Froogle, and Overstock auctions.  This software will also integrate an online storefront that you can customize as needed.  Selling on Ebay: Order Processing and Accounting with Marketworks

GM Microsoft Lilly and the Xbox360 Connection

Grocery Stores Need to Adapt in Order to Survive

Supermarket grocery stores have been a tradition for nearly a century.  Americans have made weekly trips to their local super markets to purchase groceries.  Things have been changing.  Many shoppers have switched to mega-stores like Wal-Mart Super Centers and specialty grocery stores like Trader Joes and Whole Foods. 

The first self service grocery store to open was the Memphis Tennessee Piggly Wiggly in the early 1900’s.  In 1930 Michael McKullen opened the first supermarket in Queens New York. Within a decade the Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company spread the idea across the country.  At that time the chain became the fifth largest corporation in America.  Grocery Stores Need to Adapt in Order to Survive

How to Use Blogs to Market and Promote your Website

Many search engines rank websites according to the quality and quantity of incoming links to it.  There are many link sharing programs where you can join and provide links to others and they provide links to your web site.

Google and other search engines have learned how to discount these link programs and some have even refused to index a site that uses a sharing.  This basically makes these programs counter-productive.  Why join a program that will cause your site to never show up on a search engine.  How to Use Blogs to Market and Promote your Website

Internet Copyright Infringements

I've always been of the opinion that competition is a good thing. It encourages all of us to be better and make better products. While it might be true that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, copying someone else's work is simply wrong.

We recently came across a competitor using our sales copy. The competitor was using a web graph showing the traffic on one of our sites, along with our sales copy to promote their competing application. Digging a little further, I realized that their competing application was, in both form and function, identical to our application. The competing program contained identical screenshots, custom program icons and our help documentation. While the code of the program was, in fact, different, it was clear that our copyright had been violated.  Internet Copyright Infringements

Where Are Your Potential Customers Searching Online?

5 Cleaning Tips and a Recommendation for Cleaning Services

Internet Marketing - When Something is Free

What are consumer expectations when something is free? Realistically, consumers subconsciously assume free means free, and while that might be the initial intent rarely is it the case.

What Exactly Does Free Mean?  Very few things these days are free in the real sense of the word. There are very few free items that do not have any strings attached.

Why do Companies Offer Things for Free?  Companies or individuals may promote a free offer or service for any number of reasons. From branding to ad revenue, companies often use "free" to attract attention or interest. As a consumer, it is important to realize what "free" might really mean. Internet Marketing - When Something is Free

How to Decide What to Sell on eBay

There are many important decisions to make before you sell on eBay, and determining the right products to sell on eBay is crucial.  Some may think the smallest, most expensive item is the best thing to sell.  Maybe, but maybe not. 

It is been our experience that the small expensive items are the most competitive.  Let’s face it, most people don’t want to lift heavy boxes.  They typically would prefer a small shelf to pull product from not pallets of large boxes.